They waited on the platform
Mother, Father, Son
Parents took the young man's arms
Three got on
Small talk to pass the journey
On a Dublin train
Going to the Dublin doctor
Young man sat in pain

He said: "Rebel's words and rebel swords
They pushed into my face
And Shakespeare and Latin verse and
Words of market-place
But now I make my journeys
To sweeter greener lands
My friends and I
We dream of dreams
You would not understand."

I asked him if within his dreams
Or in his secret plans
He could see a ray of hope at all
For the people in this land

He said: "Love to see the walls and fences
Coming down around their ears
Love to see them standing naked
With all the naked fears."

Mother said: "He's just a young man
He will change in time."
(He said) "No, I won't go back there
Not this time
Chasing wealth and discipline
Have been your only goals
I feel peace in darker places
In my soul, in my soul.

He said: "Love to see the walls and fences
Coming down around their ears,
Love to see them standing naked
With all the naked fears."